Today we reflect on the prophetic anointing of Jesus’ feet by a woman named Mary (the sister of Martha and Lazarus who were close friends of Jesus) who foreshadowed His imminent death, honored Him as God’s anointed and poured out to Him love and devotion too deep for words.

As Jesus made his way towards Jerusalem for what He knows will be his last Passover with his disciples, He stopped in the village of Bethany where He was invited to dinner by a well-to-do host named Simon. In the course of the gathering, a woman interrupted the meal which shocked all those who were present: she loosened her hair and anointed Jesus’ feet. During that time, to loosen one’s hair in public, even for a married woman was a sign of grave immodesty. Oblivious to all around her except for Jesus, she generously poured out a very precious ointment on His feet and then dried them with her hair.

There were of course those like Judas Iscariot who became indignant of what she did: "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor.” They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me … She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial.” (Mk 14:4-8)

Finding an occasion to drive home a point, Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (Lk 7:44-48) By inviting Simon to ‘really see’ Mary, Jesus reminded him of the the most basic element of hospitality which he failed to extend to Jesus: love.

The greatest commandment is not to understand, proclaim or obey, but to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mt 22:37) After welcoming Jesus yesterday, we now accompany Him to His passion, desiring to be more intimately united with Him. With an inner knowledge of the heart, may that love which impelled Mary to give not just a few precious drops but everything she had, also well up in our hearts.